Shutter operating mechanism

ABSTRACT

Operating mechanism adapted to be incorporated in a window closure installation including a shutter panel hingedly supported on a horizontal hinge axis and swingable toward and away from the plane of closure of a window opening. The shutter operating mechanism includes a speed reduction assembly including a worm and worm gear fixedly secured respectively on first and second shaft means perpendicularly arranged. A pair of arms is fixed in coplanar arrangement on the first shaft means and include distal end portions runningly engageable in track channel members coplanar supported on opposite edge margins of the shutter panel. The second shaft means extends through the building wall and is fitted with a hand crank member arranged in the building interior. Turnably manipulating the hand crank operates through the gear reduction means for lifting and lowering the pair of arms and respectively causing closing and opening movement of the shutter panel.

United States ?atent Sassano 1 June 6, 1972 SHUTTER OPERATING MECSM Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey [72] Inventor: John H. Sassano, Hollywood, Fla. Anomey lohn Cynl Manoy [73] Assignee: Weather Control Shutters, lnc., Hol- [57] ABSTRACT lywood, Fla.

Operating mechanism adapted to be incorporated in a window [22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1970 closure installation including a shutter panel hingedly supported on a horizontal hinge axis and swingable toward and [2]] Appl' 81467 away from the plane of closure of a window opening. The

shutter operating mechanism includes a speed reduction as- [52] U.S. Cl ..49/56, 49/342, 49/346 sembly including a worm and worm g fixedly secured 51 im. CI ..E06b 9/02 respeerlvely on firsr and second shell means perpendicularly 58 Field of Search ..49/341-343, 346, arranged- A P of arms is fixed ill coplanar arrangement Oll 49 354 357 52 53 5 1 3 7 the first shaft means and include distal end portions runningly engageable in track channel members coplanar supported on opposite edge margins of the shutter panel. The second shaft means extends through the building wall and is fitted with a hand crank member arranged in the building interior. [56] References cued Turnably manipulating the hand crank operates through the UNITED STATES PATENTS gear reduction means for lifting and lowering the pair of arms and respectively causing closing and opening movement of the 1,851,810 3/1932 Cone ..49/341 X shutter panel. 1,519,427 12/1924 Whitnell ..49/346 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATfNTEnJuu 6 m2 3, 667. 161

saw 10F 2 HTTO/WVEX BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to closure operating apparatus generally, and particularly relates to mechanism for selectively adjusting the opening of a dependingly hinged shutter panel of the so'-called Bahama shutter type.

2. Description of the Prior Art In certain geographic areas subject to hurricane, tropical storms and seasonal inclement weather conditions, the typical dwelling will be provided with drop shutters or so-called Bahama shutters arranged on the outside of the dwelling. The shutter panel typically is of generally broad extension and hingedly dependingly supported on an elevated horizontal axis disposed along the upper margin of the window opening. Since a Bahama shutter installation is intended mainly for weatherproofing a window installation against seasonal inclement weather, a usual practice will be to install and remove the shutter panels in accordance with seasonal weather changes of a particular region. Heretofore, in the typical Bahama shutter installation, the shutter panel was adjusted from the outside of a building wall supporting the shutter installation The prior art shutter opening adjustment means may include only a prop or brace arrangement for supporting the shutter a a selected opening. in the past, when it was desired to close or adjust the opening of a shutter panel, a person or user of the prior art device would be required to go outside of the building or perform the shutter panel adjustment. As may well be appreciated, this was awkward and troublesome, particularly if a number of shutter panels were to be adjusted in the nighttime or during stormy, inclement weather conditions. Also, certain prior art shutter panels are difficult to install and remove from over a window opening. The complicated construction of certain shutter installations may necessitate the expense and services of a mechanic for removing and installing the shutter panels during the seasonal weather changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The shutter operating mechanism of the instant invention is of substantially simple design and does not include complicated or intricate parts subject to malfunction. It is easy to operate and may be readily maintained in operating condition; the shutter panel is easy to remove and replace by a person of negligible skill or practice. The shutter panel may be removed or replaced with only nominal use of hand tools or the like and without the expense or services of an awning or shutter mechanic. The design of the closure operating device of the invention permits a user to adjust a shutter panel opening from the inside of a building wall. Hand crank means, supported in the building interior, is tumably manipulated for adjusting the opening of a shutter panel. A user may preform shutter adjustments while situated in the building interior and without having to go outside of the building. The shutter operating mechanism is of relatively simple construction, admitting of economical manufacture and marketing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shutter closure installation, illustrating the closure operating mechanism of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the closure operating mechanism in retracted configuration with the shutter closure in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical plane sectional view taken as on the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal plane sectional view taken as on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical plane sectional view as on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The shutter operating mechanism is indicated by numeral 12 and is shown and described in conjunction with a shutter panel 14 pendently supported on horizontal hinge means 16 supported in turn on the exterior of a building wall 18. The shutter panel 14 is swingably adjustable externally of the building wall, respectively toward and away from a window opening 20 typically provided with adjustable glass panel casements 22. The shutter panel 14 is of typical rectangular design including longitudinal frame members 14a, 14a, 14b, and planar panel structure 140, 14c, arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the intermediate frame member 14b. The planar panel structure 140, is of non-adjustable configuration, fixedly secured in the frame structure of the shutter panel; the panels 14c, 14c typically may be configured for providing a clapboard effect, simulating a vertical series of clapboard elements 14d, 14d. A horizontally-extending series of slot openings, 14e, 14c, may be provided respectively in the clapboard elements 14b, 14b, permitting restricted movement of air through the shutter panel.

The shutter hinge means 16 preferably is of the type permitting ready removal of the shutter from the building wall 18. The hinge means 16 includes telescopically fitted tubular hinge elements 16a, 16b, stationarily supported respectively by angle structure 16c, 16d, to the shutter panel 14 and building wall 18. Screw fasteners 16e, 16f; fixedly secure respectively the support structure 16c, 16d, to the shutter panel frame and building wall. The shutter panel 14 may be removed from the stationary hinge structure 16d by slidably disengaging the tubular hinge pintle structure 16a from the tubular stationary pintle structure 16b. A user may remove the shutter panel 14 by shiftably displacing the shutter panel horizontally toward one or the other end of the stationary hinge structure 16b, disengaging the shutter panel from the stationary hinge structure.

The shutter operating mechanism 12 includes a first shaft 24 tumably secured by bearing members 26, 26, fixedly secured in cantilever fashion by anchor screws 28, 28 on the exterior of the building wall 18. A pair of arms 30, 30', are fixedly secured in coplanar arrangement respectively on opposite end portions of the shaft 24. Coupling members 32, 32, fitted respectively on opposite end portions of the shaft 24, fixedly receive respectively the proximal portions of the arms 30, 30'. The shaft 24 preferably is hexagon in cross section and snugly receives respectively the structure of hexagon openings 34, 34' formed respectively in the couplings 32, 32'. Pin elements, 36, 36', extend respectively diametrically through couplings 32, 32' and shaft 24, anchoring the arms 30, 30 against axial displacement on the shaft. Pins 38, 38' fixedly secure respectively the proximal end portions of arms 30, 30 to the coupling members 32, 32'.

Right and left track members 40, 40' are fixedly supported in coplanar arrangement respectively on opposite side edge margins of the shutter panel 14. The track members 40, 40 preferably are each generally of C-section channel configuration defining respectively oppositely facing slide openings 40a, 40a. Follower stud means 42, 42', secured respectively on the distal end portions of arm members 30, 30, runningly engage respectively the track members 40, 40'. The operative association of the follower stud means 42, 42 and respectively the track channel members 40, 40 are alike and the following description of the right-hand follower stud and track member construction 42, 40 will suffice also as description of the lefthand follower stud and track member construction 42', 40': The track member 40 preferably is fixedly secured to the edge margin of the shutter panel by rivets 44 fixedly engaging the longitudinal base portion 40b of the track member with the longitudinal side member 140 of the shutter panel. The C-sectioned channel 40 includes confrontingly parallel longitudinally-extending bead portions 400, 40c, spaced apart a distance less than the space between side wall portions 40d, 40d of the track channel structure. The follower stud means 42 preferably includes a stud element 42a and a plastic bushing element 42b coaxially fitted together and extending through an aperture 30a formed in the flattened distal end structure of the arm 30. The stud and bushing elements 42a, 42b, are providedrespectively with enlarged head and shoulder portions 42c, 42d received in the interior of the track channel 40. A screw 42e is threadedly fitted in the shank portion of the stud element 42; the screw 42e clampingly secures a washer. 42f against the end face of the stud 42a. The stud and bushing assembly 42a, 42b is secured on the distal end of the arm 30 with the head and shoulder portions 42c, 42d runningly engaging the slot structure of the track channel.

Turnably raising the pair of arms 30, 30 about the axis of shaft 24 carries the follower stud means 42, 42 upwardly in the track structure 40, 40' and closes the shutter against the outside surface of the building wall (FIG. 2). Conversely, tumably lowering the pair of arms 30, 30' about the axis of shaft 24, carries the follower stud means 42, 42' downwardly in the track structure 40, 40 and moves the shutter panel to an open configuration (FIG. 1

A speed reducer assembly 46, a shaft 48 and a hand crank member 50, preferably provides means for bidirectionally tumably operating the pair of arms30, 30' in opening and closing the shutter panel. The speed reducer assembly 46 is supported externally of the building wall and includes mating worm and worm gear member 460 and 46b fixedly secured respectively on the shafts 48 and 24. A housing 460 encloses the worm and worm gear; anchor screw members 52 fixedly secure the housing 460 on the outside surface of the building wall. The housing 46c, in addition to enclosing the worm and worm gear structure, provides bearing means 46d and 462 ,respectively for the perpendicularly arranged shafts 24 and 48. The shaft 48 preferably is square in cross section engaging respectively the socket structure 504 of the crank hub 50b and the aquare bore 46f of the worm 46a. Thrust collars 46g and 46!: are arranged respectively on opposite sides of the worm 46a for preventing axial displacement of the shaft 48. Pin means 461' and 46 fixedly secure respectively the thrust collars 46g and 46h on the shaft 48.

A sleeve bearing 54, extending through the building wall 18,

preferably provides bearing means for the shaft 48. The sleeve bearing 54rpreferably is fixedly secured in a throughvopening 18a formed in the building 'wall. -An annular countersunk opening l8b is provided at the inside terminus of the opening 18a, providing relief opening structure accommodating the hub portion 50b of the hand crank member. An escutcheon plate 54 preferably is secured to the inside face of the building wall 18 by screws 56. The escutcheon plate in addition to providing trim plate means, also provides bearing aperture means 540 runningly engaging the hub portion 500 of the crank member 50. ln using the shutter operating mechanism of the instant invention, a user has only to grasp the hand grip portion 50c of the crank member 50 and turn the crank member in a selected direction for lowering or raising the pair of arms 30, 30', respectively in opening or closing the shutter panel.

Stop lug screws 58 and 58' preferably are arranged respectively across the open end portions 60, 60 of the track members 40, 40. The stop lug screws 58, 58 provide stop means for preventing inadvertent disassembly of the follower studs 42, 42' from the lower end portions 60, 60 of the track members when the arm members 30, 30' are tumably moved downwardly (FIG. 1). When it is desired to remove the shutter panel 14 from the building wall and away from the window structure the stop lug screws 58, 58' are removed from the shutter frame structure 14a and 14a and the arm members 30, 30' turned downwardly; downward turning movement of the arms 30, 30' carries the follower stud means 42, 42' through theopen end portions 60, 60 of the track members 40, 40', disengaging the arm members from the shutter panel. Subsequent to disengagement of the arm members from the shutter panel, the shutter panel may be shifted horizontally along the axis of the elevated hinge means 16 and the shutter panel removed from the window structure.

While the instant invention is disclosed in a presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the disclosed structure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: V

1. The combination with a shutter installation operative for shutting a window opening in a building wall, including a generally broad shutter panel, hinge means dependingly supporting said shutter panel at its upper edge on a hinge axis arranged generally at the upper margin of the window opening, and with said shutter panel being swingable externally of said building wall between a closed position arranged across the window opening and an open position pivoted outwardly of the window opening, shutter panel operating mechanism comprising first shaft means, a pair of arms fixedly supported in coplanar arrangement on said first shaft means, bearing means horizontally supporting said shaft means on an axis disposed subjacently of said window opening outside said building with said pair of arms being arranged oppositely and out of the path of movement of said closure panel, track means supported on opposite side edge margins of said shutter panel, follower means supported on the distal extensions respectively of said pair of arms and runningly engaging respectively said track means, speed reducer means including an output element connected with said first shaft means and an input element, second shaft means connected with said input element and extending through said wall means, and actuator means arranged on the inside of said building wall, connected with said second shaft means, selectively operative in bidirectional turning movement respectively'for opening and closing said shutter panel.

2. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said track means includes a left and a right track channel member fixedly secured respectively in coplanar arrangement on opposite side edge margins of said shutter panel and wherein said follower means includes a left and right follower stud fixedly supported respectively on the distal end portion of each arm of said pair of arms, runningly engaging respectively said track channel members.

3. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second shaft means are arranged mutually perpendicular and wherein said speed reducer means includes a worm gear concentrically fixed on said first shaft.

means, and a mated worm concentrically fixed on said second shaft means.

4. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said actuator means includes a hand crank member connected with said second shaft means.

5. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein said left and right track channel members each are generally of C-section configuration, each channel member having confrontingly parallel bead portions defining a slot opening extending longitudinally of each channel member, and wherein said left and right follower studs each are provided with a head portion of extension broader than the interspacial extension between said parallel bead portions respectively of said channel members, said follower studs being shiftedly received respectively in the channel members and constrained against displacement from said channel members by running engagement respectively of each follower stud head portion with the parallel bead portions of a respective track member.

6. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 5 wherein said left and right track channel members each are provided at the lower extension thereof with passageway structure permitting entry and removal respectively of said left and right follower studs and respectively engagement and disengagement of said pair of arms and shutter panel.

7. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 6 including stop lug means simultaneously arrangeable across respectively the passageway structure of said left and right track channel members, operative respectively for permitting or preventing disengagement of said pair of arms and shutter panel 

1. The combination with a shutter installation operative for shutting a window opening in a building wall, including a generally broad shutter panel, hinge means dependingly supporting said shutter panel at its upper edge on a hinge axis arranged generally at the upper margin of the window opening, and with said shutter panel being swingable externally of said building wall between a closed position arranged across the window opening and an open position pivoted outwardly of the window opening, shutter panel operating mechanism comprising first shaft means, a pair of arms fixedly supported in coplanar arrangement on said first shaft means, bearing means horizontally supporting said shaft means on an axis disposed subjacently of said window opening outside said building with said pair of arms being arranged oppositely and out of the path of movement of said closure panel, track means supported on opposite side edge margins of said shutter panel, follower means supported on the distal extensions respectively of said pair of arms and runningly engaging respectively said track means, speed reducer means including an output element connected with said first shaft means and an input element, second shaft means connected with said input element and extending through said wall means, and actuator means arranged on the inside of said building wall, connected with said second shaft means, selectively operative in biDirectional turning movement respectively for opening and closing said shutter panel.
 2. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said track means includes a left and a right track channel member fixedly secured respectively in coplanar arrangement on opposite side edge margins of said shutter panel and wherein said follower means includes a left and right follower stud fixedly supported respectively on the distal end portion of each arm of said pair of arms, runningly engaging respectively said track channel members.
 3. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second shaft means are arranged mutually perpendicular and wherein said speed reducer means includes a worm gear concentrically fixed on said first shaft means, and a mated worm concentrically fixed on said second shaft means.
 4. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said actuator means includes a hand crank member connected with said second shaft means.
 5. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein said left and right track channel members each are generally of C-section configuration, each channel member having confrontingly parallel bead portions defining a slot opening extending longitudinally of each channel member, and wherein said left and right follower studs each are provided with a head portion of extension broader than the interspacial extension between said parallel bead portions respectively of said channel members, said follower studs being shiftedly received respectively in the channel members and constrained against displacement from said channel members by running engagement respectively of each follower stud head portion with the parallel bead portions of a respective track member.
 6. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 5 wherein said left and right track channel members each are provided at the lower extension thereof with passageway structure permitting entry and removal respectively of said left and right follower studs and respectively engagement and disengagement of said pair of arms and shutter panel.
 7. Shutter operating mechanism as set forth in claim 6 including stop lug means simultaneously arrangeable across respectively the passageway structure of said left and right track channel members, operative respectively for permitting or preventing disengagement of said pair of arms and shutter panel. 